Hay!

Yesterday before dawn, on the coldest morning we've had so far this season (29*), we had 37 round bales of hay delivered. Alan was busy with the tractor all morning, unloading the bales from the delivery truck trailors, and moving the hay to the area on the farm we store the bales. The critters were very excited! They love hay delivery day!

Alan mounts a big metal spear to the front of the tractor bucket, and uses the spear to pierce and lift each bale. The bales are very heavy, on average weighing about 1000 pounds.

Alan set out a bale in the barnyard for the goats, and any cows we put temporarily in the barnyard.

The goats give the new hay two tails up.

Callio-Pea still comes to say hi, and check for cookies.

Alan also set out a bale for the cows and donkeys. Houdini and the cows give the new hay four hooves up... mmm, hay!

Curly gives the hay her stamp of approval, too. The first ray of morning sun shining on the new hay is a perfect spot for a nap.

Charlie (or is this Geoff) stalks Curly while she naps... lookin' for trouble all the time!

Out in the pasture, Stix watches Alan as he moves hay bales past the pasture. She isn't too sure about hay yet, and I'm sure she doesn't understand the excitement of new hay!

Dixie left the hay bale long enough to give Dumbo a bath. In the early morning sunshine is the best time and place for a bath.

Comments

[doris]

Believe it or not, there are several farms within a mile or two of my house in NW New Jersey! I love autumn when the fields have been cut and the hay is rolled into those big bales. Our neighbor uses a fork lift to move a bale into the feeding area, and then the cows show their excitement at the smell of just-delivered hay. Love your photos of all the animals involved, especially Box Car Betty who is always my favorite!

[Shellie Daniel]

Oh my, those are cute pictures! I love your little narratives to go along with the photos. :) The round bales are cool--so much more fun than the rectangular ones. How does Alan roll them out? Does he use the tractor and push them with the bucket?

[Suzy]

Well... I know nothing about hay or farms cause I am a city girl but I love, love, love reading your blog about your farm (and your stamping, too) Makes me want to go to the country!! Thanks, Anna.

[Nebraska Dave]

Ah, yeah, there's always work to do on a functioning farm. There's just something about working on a farm that seems to be right with the world. Hay or feed delivery day always was a busy day. Of course hay was delivered in 60 to 70 pound rectangle bales in my day and had to be hefted into the top of the barn. We ususally grew our own hay, so we also got the joy of baling it up and hauling it in from the field. I kind of miss those hot sweaty days of physical ativities.

Have a great day on the farm.

[DK Wight]

I'm not sure about the Dumbo thing, after all he is line bred, male,and born in TEXAS. However, that name just seems wrong,being generally unflattering to cattle in general. I remember some cattle in my youth I was quite fond of. I still vote for Dubya. That way all steers in the world still have their dignity. And "W" well he's still a Texan.....unless he was adopted in Oklahoma...Love, Dad

[kathynruss]

This reminds me of a sign I saw on the back road between Spokane and Fairchild: "Hey! For Sale!" Cool tool Alan uses to move the bales around. Try doing with just a long chain and a jeep!

[Carol Dee]

YEAH Hay !!! That shipment should last a while. I think Curly has the right idea, a nap in the sunshine. Ahhhh. Have a relaxing Sunday, hugs....

[bonnie weiss]

OH HAPPY DAY!!!

[Dee in N.H.]

Fun stuff! Nothing beats the smell of new hay! Mmmmmmm.....